Nick Clegg Says Dads Should Be Given The Same Paternity Pay As Mums

The deputy prime minister’s new scheme to smash ‘Edwardian’ views on raising children could mean that your partner will share parental leave with you – without compromising on pay

Today, Nick Clegg is unveiling a new civil service scheme that means men could receive the same paternity salary and benefits as women, if they decide to take time off to help look after their new baby.

Dads will be entitled to a share of six months leave on full pay and another six weeks on 90 per cent of their pay

Hoping to get rid of what he calls an ‘Edwardian’ attitude to parenting, the deputy prime minister’s scheme, starting in April next year, will mean that male civil servants will be able to have the same enhanced pay as a woman in their position would be.

Dads will be entitled to a share of six months leave on full pay and another six weeks on 90 per cent of their pay – so they can enjoy time off with their newborn without putting financial strain on their family.

Currently, men are allowed a fortnight’s paternity leave. But this new scheme will mean dads-to-be can ask for an additional 26 weeks off – so long as the mum is not taking her full amount of maternity leave. There will also be the option for mums to nominate their partner to take over all, or part, of the year’s remaining maternity leave.

This new scheme will mean dads-to-be can ask for an additional 26 weeks off

‘I’m pleased to confirm that, from April 2015, the Civil Service will be offering equal parental pay and support to all its employees – male and female,’ says Nick. ‘As result, it will no longer just be new mums working in the Civil Service who can take maternity leave at full pay. Dads will also be able to benefit from enhanced pay for shared parental leave, if both parents choose to carve up their time between them.’

For the time being, this pilot scheme will just be an option for men employed by the civil service but Nick Clegg hopes this move will be seen as an attempt to change parental leave options for the better. He’s said there’s a need to tackle ‘clapped out’ attitudes to flexible employment.

What do you think? Are the new paternity rights a good idea? Let us know in the comments box below.

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